[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6052665,"mediaKeyId","3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e","parentId",3390891,"title","Committee approves Phoenix Advisors transition contract for new CFO; some members question length and redundancy","audioSeconds",466,"startMs",6996000,"endMs",7462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e&start=6996&end=7462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e/thumbnail_6996000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052665/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Committee-approves-Phoenix-Advisors-transition-contract-for-new-CFO-some-members-question-length-and-redundancy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052665-142ce6be7dec6f382cb75e6f581e0e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1775440224&Signature=W6rv8t3KT5xRF9EZJhgMPInW70-mZqIv-krnrK~pyuNd~toIwakKyPrPuuft-XdLx8cctGEEGVDXkS7vHJUSmmlPj8U8R915COCDN5NB4OzTcvDvRizDyh~LRn~Ne7r~4TR9-idLOydsUyfcrv7VpnkM24cnVl3NcnW0I9jy3se5WIveuQmA5XIo6zfYElfFPZcra6Wrw4RPt4OCaf1B3QOSqTsoSWMAxL~MWYExR5uSpHsM00lqyuc5wpJk~H1iSUK5bVF0oPao0ECEpWGbOKvMuAbpaUHT3tlQexyDfSKarHSiNS8EElXapozsHCiCJ-fZezhAP6hs3GzrCGrQ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","HillsboroughTownship NJ","date","2025-05-14T13:49:28Z","article","The Hillsborough Township Committee approved a consulting agreement with Phoenix Advisors on May 13 to support the township’s incoming chief financial officer during a transition period, while several committee members asked for clarification about scope, duration and potential redundancy.

What the contract covers: Committee discussion centered on a not‑to‑exceed contract term the committee described as approximately six and a half months with a stated monthly rate of $2,000. Some members noted the arithmetic in the contract backup showed a difference between the monthly rate and the total figure in the written backup and asked staff to correct the apparent math discrepancy if needed. Township staff and finance committee members said the contract is month‑to‑month and is intended to provide mentorship and on‑call experience for the new CFO, not to mandate the full six‑month term.

Positions expressed: Some committee members questioned whether the consulting arrangement duplicated services already available from bond counsel, the township auditor and other advisors. Others, including the mayor and finance committee members, argued the mentorship is a modest and practical investment to set the new CFO up for success and cited prior, more expensive transitional arrangements as precedent. “I think Hillsborough Township residents are best served if we have one of the most well known financial people in township finances working here as a consultant,” the mayor said, urging support for the transition help.

Why it matters: The contract affects how the township handles an internal finance transition and how the new CFO will be onboarded. Committee members asked staff to monitor actual consultant usage and to terminate the engagement when the new CFO is comfortably operating without outside mentorship.

Ending: The committee approved the consultant contract with the understanding that the engagement is month‑to‑month up to the not‑to‑exceed cap, that staff will clarify any numerical discrepancies in backup documents and that the contract will end earlier if the new CFO no longer needs support.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 May 13 - Township Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved a month‑to‑month consulting agreement with Phoenix Advisors to support Hillsborough’s incoming CFO, but several members questioned a not‑to‑exceed duration and whether the consultant’s role overlapped existing auditors and bond counsel.","taxTitle","Hillsborough, Somerset County, New Jersey","taxId",70067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052669,"Hillsborough adds Manville to shared-inspection pact; officials press for liability and usage data",696,6458000,7154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e&start=6458&end=7154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e/thumbnail_6458000.jpg","/articles/6052669/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Hillsborough-adds-Manville-to-shared-inspection-pact-officials-press-for-liability-and-usage-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052669-a5d0b2639a72ceeda3ff2746c8d2816f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775440224&Signature=bRELDB8DuYTXUCin-1Y1Ur7XlP~fQEcLRE6BVryxZfyMRpJwudM1Y-ShW6P9UT0fZollvYlyRdIc9WlXtGufW4j5L~HBU2OpVzCpTxgvMCo6yYrkQHuU5O4GDDFoTmRFPhXsDMsf3cgLnnboTiIuQiw2k1A36h1bN3MLAxM9-UZM526PxrlrDI7JgIJUgC74xGchJPMdF1JPpFQhH40IQKl312PX4m5akkRf65WdjtyczhTcKrrIuJTvFz0x4xhuOyGZYWU8EQdelcTeb6O3ctqeSNf5VJNpoRsVx7hLAf8c9nXME4o8KvKpWR83pz2r5hWoHgSclpxcbH7P3Kkt-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hillsborough Township Committee voted on May 13 to add Manville to an existing shared‑services arrangement that allows municipal building and fire inspectors to work across participating municipalities for after‑hours and weekend inspections.

Why it matters: Towns across New Jersey are facing shortages of licensed inspectors for electrical, plumbing and fire code work. Shared‑service pacts can help keep construction projects moving, but elected officials said they want clearer data on how often Hillsborough inspectors work elsewhere, how costs are allocated and how liability is handled when an employee is working for another township.

What the committee approved and how it works: Township staff said participating towns agreed to pay the same rate so one municipality does not “poach” inspectors from another. The agreement, staff said, is intended to cover after‑hours, evenings and weekend work; regular daytime inspections in Hillsborough are not expected to be reduced by the arrangement. The construction official and fire inspector will continue to prioritize local needs, and outside assignments will be used only when they do not conflict with Hillsborough responsibilities.

Liability and financial questions: Committee members raised the contract’s Clause C, which states that the employing township is responsible for property, liability, auto and workers’ compensation claims arising from that employee’s work. That language prompted questions from members about whether Hillsborough could face outsized liability if its employees work in other towns and whether the township tracks hours and cost recovery. Township staff told the committee they do not currently maintain consolidated tracking showing the number of inspector-hours provided to other towns and agreed to check contract details and provide additional data.

Next steps and oversight: Committee members requested follow‑up information on (1) how frequently Hillsborough staff are deployed to other municipalities, (2) the mechanism for tracking hours and cost recovery, and (3) the exact contract language used when a Hillsborough employee accepts an outside assignment. Staff said they would consult the construction official and legal counsel and return with clarifying information.

Ending: The measure passed with committee members describing the shared arrangement as necessary given a statewide inspector shortage, but several members said they expected a clearer accounting of liability and financial impacts in a short follow-up report.","The township approved adding Manville to a shared‑services agreement for building and fire inspection coverage. Committee members pressed staff for data on how often inspectors work in other towns, liability allocations in the contract and whether Hillsborough benefits financially.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052674,"Hillsborough schedules May 19 special meeting to continue work on affordable housing plan ahead of June 30 filing",111,243000,354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e&start=243&end=354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e/thumbnail_243000.jpg","/articles/6052674/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Hillsborough-schedules-May-19-special-meeting-to-continue-work-on-affordable-housing-plan-ahead-of-June-30-filing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052674-75250f3323f3b301e4843d87b235a9b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775440224&Signature=i-omOWdDBwEttV8fz1KNZ6J2SKs50UNzekMZhvKPUdWZYTkOIS~UUbdj8fGMH9d9RWrMGpc~s0o~70UPOdSS-hYkhjTMhNgqCOPbJyT4Uscj-N6BskLJbJvEddvUEmNr7gqNBIMTNWKyHOfhwn2BS43NMsQ5u-ZW2FJtmw03bD1lRbwiB0ILUcJMcYN~3R3jJ3bfUUjw-XDoSASggrAkit-VszJsjv3lil0V9TvIkjiIOjXANnseSMc6bgqpCq2Tj-Jvg2rG4S9BgRIGhM8SnyAfaqTfDoqFLt12ClpmxLDDaBo3YXFqDkf4eYYDNFoy5gKdab4z2-O-Pzfg8y53zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident who addressed the committee urged a special meeting to continue the township’s work on its affordable housing plan; the Hillsborough Township Committee voted on May 13 to authorize a special meeting on Monday, May 19 at 4 p.m. to continue litigation‑sensitive discussions.

The speaker (identified in the transcript as Willard) told the committee that “every municipality in the state of New Jersey is under time deadline with respect to coming up with a housing plan” and that the filing must be made by June 30. The committee moved, seconded and approved a clerk’s notice to schedule the special meeting. Committee members clarified the meeting will open in public but the committee expects to move into executive session for confidential matters because the township’s affordable housing plan is subject to litigation; the committee said there will be a public comment opportunity at the scheduled meeting if members of the public wish to attend.

Why it matters: New Jersey municipalities regularly work under statutory and court‑related deadlines when preparing affordable housing plans; the committee’s vote makes a firm meeting date available to continue a plan the township said it is finalizing and defending in litigation.

Details and next steps: The committee approved the clerk sending out notice for the special meeting on May 19 at 4:00 p.m.; the meeting will be a public meeting of the township committee that the committee expects to take into executive session to discuss confidential aspects of its affordable housing plan. The transcript records no ordinance numbers or filings at the May 13 meeting; staff and counsel will continue the confidential planning work that the committee discussed in executive session.

Ending: The committee’s scheduling vote was procedural—it set a public meeting date and time and indicated the meeting will contain an executive session to address litigation‑sensitive housing matters; members said public comment will be allowed at the May 19 meeting.","Following an executive session on the township's affordable housing plan, the committee voted to authorize a special public meeting on May 19 at 4 p.m. that will go into executive session to continue litigation‑sensitive planning ahead of a June 30 filing deadline.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052679,"Energy broker Energetic says auctioned contracts cut Hillsborough rates as capacity costs rise",391,3769000,4160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e&start=3769&end=4160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e/thumbnail_3769000.jpg","/articles/6052679/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/Energy-broker-Energetic-says-auctioned-contracts-cut-Hillsborough-rates-as-capacity-costs-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052679-8f4227c4752f54ee6c2dec7468b8cf04/orig.mp4?Expires=1775440224&Signature=Yn2rPnvxRT8ptzjVI1G1FuVf4xjV~qX3P90Bq5klVN5-u1LSQFBcD6ndjw04FHppZRhQR~rPfbeHOoVEw-WXKWZpxwSzMVOg8pQzCw7SnKwtLhEkq~Q0c6zrE9M-5ji5zpLIqDAr7I5bssZvphgXfE-7eny3mEwQQiZKvNq~sELwqVXqzsS44htIZTGJmxWMbKWRIf7b75P9xGz5Acp4SZrDT4ViV-~WEGiT~g5s2ZAfJTK9hjZBsNzwoDBXJBcNmMirBQG6kxnr0wNqrgvuI~CMu9WVFVyLVVqW6gE4VPEFVEw1TZ-18L~pABqzBpi7NDaNnKT~FI2rQ9FrQKdE1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A women- and minority‑owned energy consultant told the Hillsborough Township Committee on May 13 that state‑approved electricity and natural gas auctions secured lower supply rates for township commercial meters and that the region’s capacity charge could raise bills this summer unless mitigated.

“...we will see a surge in their electric costs ... estimated that increase to be around 15%,” Energetic owner Eva Garritz told the committee, summarizing projected capacity-driven cost pressure in the PJM region and explaining how the company is advising the township to limit the impact.

Why it matters: Energetic said it has managed the township’s commercial meters since November 2022 and used an auction platform (authorized by the state) to attract competitive supply bids. The company said earlier third‑party supply rates ranged roughly from 14.5¢ to 20¢ per kilowatt-hour; Energetic’s procurement and a change in how lighting and non‑lighting meters are grouped produced lower all‑in equivalents in the company’s presentation.

Details and numbers provided: Energetic owners Eva Garritz and Kristen Tobias told the committee they procured a market‑based electric product (an index adder) that the presenter said was “locked in at 0.039,” describing that as about 4¢ per kilowatt-hour for the commodity portion and saying the all‑in, fixed equivalent for township budgeting was about 10¢ per kilowatt-hour — a figure the presenter characterized as roughly a 30% decrease from the prior contract. The consultants also said a market‑based natural gas product (a basis) was locked “just above 20¢ a therm,” which the presentation translated into an all‑in comparable for budgeting.

Actions taken: The township executed a resolution on the day of an Energetic/Taurus Advisory Group auction to put the township into the competitive auction and accept the winning supplier, the presenters said. Energetic said next steps include ongoing budget forecasting, advising on demand reduction and lighting controls, and watching commodity markets for “dips” when selective hedging could be employed.

Town response: Township staff thanked the presenters for monitoring the market and helping the municipality avoid “undue spikes.” Committee members asked for clarification about how the products work and how savings were calculated; Energetic offered to provide follow‑up materials.

Ending: Energetic urged the township to pursue continued demand‑management steps and said it would monitor market and tariff changes—including PJM capacity charges—and recommend hedging or operational changes when appropriate.","Energetic told the township committee it ran state‑approved auctions that lowered the township’s commercial electric and gas supply costs compared with prior third‑party contracts, and warned of an estimated regional capacity cost increase this summer.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052685,"JCP&L tells Hillsborough officials 25-pole replacements, tree work and 'loop schemes' aimed at cutting outages",1706,4281000,5987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e&start=4281&end=5987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390891-fdd8a7bd43794fc5f67fa7f2a39f056e/thumbnail_4281000.jpg","/articles/6052685/Hillsborough/Somerset-County/New-Jersey/JCPL-tells-Hillsborough-officials-25-pole-replacements-tree-work-and-loop-schemes-aimed-at-cutting-outages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052685-9c31a472b3735d320b6f73ffa1d0700f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775440224&Signature=ZKCGdDVZeb-JSRWKfiqdgfDqEhLw0m5gwfJ6bJnXjZKrC5V3dxDuR7hZxW2tXQYro8g5pBWsYlDnJAY8jxMJF8NCFzuJXGvjelbyFaAFPpLZX5G9aUxhgokMgIoURJhrL8PRXug76s9xVVdthl3OKfzhSqh0aM5XS-dL6~a~4TJ~19jTOS9mQqEw0YAzWFqQl3228UKPPIBWBi7rWKmh97asbxx~MKl8NKRcKQaaGcqZcJmsfrZXiU6kNvJK9tPn4t7QO8ev8y470wkQiKcJhMNI6uvxmp9VAhgPRuXY9-R-wFkz9U5PZ3TtKT5hJ1ZLMMpciu~oKW7-j-3b4uVD-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jersey Central Power & Light representative Bob Flynn told the Hillsborough Township Committee on May 13 that a mix of animal contact, equipment and line failures and trees outside the utility right-of-way caused a string of recent outages and that the company plans targeted equipment upgrades and vegetation work to reduce interruptions.

Flynn, introduced to the committee as the company’s new local representative, said the utility is preparing a Reliability Improvement Program (RIP) project for the three distribution circuits serving parts of Hillsborough. “We will utilize loop schemes and reclosers and tie points,” Flynn said, describing system changes intended to isolate trouble so fewer customers lose power when a nearby line is damaged.

Why it matters: Residents described multiple multi-day outages this spring. Committee members pressed JCP&L for concrete response steps and timelines. Flynn said the company has allocated funding to replace about 25 wooden poles and crossarms with fiberglass components, perform an additional round of tree trimming on Zion Road and other trouble spots, and install other equipment changes designed to reduce the number of customers affected when a single pole or span fails. He told the committee the utility aims to complete design and construction before the coming summer storm season.

Details and local impacts: Flynn outlined common outage causes on the affected circuits—animal contact (including several incidents he said involved raccoons), equipment and line failure, and trees outside the company’s normal trimming corridor. He said the company had to return multiple times to a pole at Elm and Pearl where repeated animal-caused damage required reconductoring and equipment replacement. Flynn also noted that smaller “minor storms” increase line failures and that tree removal outside the right-of-way often requires homeowner permission.

Residents pressed the company on response times and on special procedures for customers with medical needs. Flynn described the utility’s critical-care/well-water enrollment—customers with verified medical needs receive prioritization in blue‑sky outages—and said municipal OEMs can request a “priority restoration” where the county and utility coordinate to clear roads and reach high‑priority addresses during major storms.

What’s next: Flynn said the utility recently filed a BPU request for larger program funding to support distribution and substation projects and that an approved program would enable more system automation and tie points so a local failure wouldn’t cut power to thousands of customers. He offered to provide the township non-sensitive summary materials and to work with township staff on public communications. Committee members asked the utility to follow up with a simple, shareable one‑page summary for residents and to have reliability engineers inspect problem areas and reach out to affected homeowners.

Ending: Committee members and residents generally welcomed the commitment but pressed for clearer timelines and improved communications. Flynn left contact information for local follow-up and said crews would continue vegetation and targeted equipment work in the coming months.","Jersey Central Power & Light told the Hillsborough Township Committee it has identified animal contact, equipment failure and trees outside right-of-way as leading causes of recent outages and plans targeted pole replacements, additional tree trimming and system upgrades to reduce interruptions before the summer storm season.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves Phoenix Advisors transition contract for new CFO; some members question length and redundancy

Hillsborough adds Manville to shared-inspection pact; officials press for liability and usage data

Hillsborough schedules May 19 special meeting to continue work on affordable housing plan ahead of June 30 filing

Energy broker Energetic says auctioned contracts cut Hillsborough rates as capacity costs rise

JCP&L tells Hillsborough officials 25-pole replacements, tree work and 'loop schemes' aimed at cutting outages